Folding table.



H. K. POWHL. FOLDING' TABLE.

PATENTED SEPT. 4, 1906.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-13, 1906.

rn: Nonni: P srsns no., Musulman". n, z

UNITED STATES PATENT FFIE'. HENRY K. EowHL, or ALLEENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

FOLDING TABLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 4, 1906.

Application filed January 13. 1906. Serial No` 295.876.

To all whom, t may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY K. Fowl-IL, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFolding Tables, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in tables,and the primary object of the invention is to provide a novel form offolding or collapsible table which can be easily and quickly folded intoa compact form, whereby it will occupy a comparatively small space.

Another object of this invention is to provide a folding table that willbe substantial in either form, but when folded will provide a smalloblong table capable of supporting various objects.

A further object of this invention is to provide a table which will beextremely simple in construction, strong and durable, comparativelyinexpensive to manufacture, and one which when folded can be easily andquickly manipulated to provide a table.

l/Vith the above and other objects in view, which will more readilyappear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the sameconsists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement ofparts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and referringto the drawings accompanying this application like numerals of referencedesignate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which-Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved table. Fig. 2 is a sideelevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the table in a foldedor knocked-downl position. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view of aportion of the table-top.

To put my invention into practice, I construct my improved table of athree-part table-top 1 and two sets of legs 2 2. The table-top embodiesa central section 3, to which are hinged end sections or flaps 4 4,thetransverse edges of the end sections or flaps 4 4 being connected to thetransverse edges of the central section 3 by hinges 5 5. The transverseedges of the central section 3 of the table-top are provided withgrooves' 6 and tongues 7 7, the tongues 7 7 being adapted to fit withingrooves 8 8, formed in the transverse edges of the end sections or flaps4 4, said sections being provided with tongues 9 9, adapted to fit inthe grooves 6 6 of the i central section 3, whereby when the sections 44 horizontally aline with the section 3, as in a set-up position, asmooth and interlocking joint will be formed between the secrection,while one 'of the sections 4 is provided with a depending limit themovement of the cleat 10 in the other direction and position ittransversely of the adjoining edges of the sections 3 and 4 4.

The legs 2 of each set consist of parts or members 15 15 and 16 16, theparts or members of each leg being connected together by hinges 17 17.The parts 15 15 are hinged, as at 1S 1S, to the end sections or flaps 44 of the table, while the parts 16 16 of each set of legs are pivotallyconnected together, as at 19, upon the contracted ends 19a of a rod 19h,arranged between the sets of pin 14, adapted to .legs 2 2. The lowerends of the parts 16 16 of each set of legs are bent downwardly, as at20 20, to form a :firm foundation for the table. The upper ends of thelegs 16 16 of each set of legs are connected together by a transversebar 21, while the upper ends of the legs 16 16 of each set are bracedfrom the transverse rod 19h by angularly-disposed bars 99 99 In Figs. 1and 2 of the drawings I have illustrated the table in a set-un form, andby referring articularly to Fig. 2 of the drawings it wi l be observedthat the upper ends of the parts or members 15 15 of each set of legsare mitered to engage the underneath faces of the sections 4 4 and forma horizontal support for said sections. lhen the sets of legs have beenpositioned as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and the cleat 10 rod tated toengage the sections 4 4, it will be im possible to Hbreak the joints ofthe parts or members of the legs, this only being accomplished when thecleat is swung into the un- IIO alinement with the central section 3ci*` the table-top 1. By bracing the sets of legs by the transverse rod19b andthe bar 21, together with the bars 22 22, a substantial andnon-collapsible table is provided but when it is desired to fold thesame it is only necessary to swing the cleat in alinement with thecentral section 3, at which time the sets of legs, together with thesections 4: 4, can swung to the'positionshown in Fig. 3. ln thisinstance the lower ends of the members 16 ...1 6 and16 16 form supportsfor the table ina folded form, and when in this form it.

willfbe observed that the upper hinged ends offthe members or bars 15 15andll of each set of legs provide a foundationfor the centralfsectionSofthe table-top, while the sections 4'4are permitted-to swingdownwardly parallel with the legs ofy the table, thereby. providing a.narrow oblong table, which will, occupy a comparativelysmall spacerelative tothe table in a set-'up position.

Whatl claim, and desire to secure by Letters 12a-tent, is

1; Atable-of the `type described embodying .atable-top consisting of acentral section, endisectionshinged to .said section, sets of beA legshinged to said end sections, each leg of each set of legs consisting oftwo hinged sections, a transverse rod pivotally connecting the lower ofsaid hinged sections of each set of legs together, a transverse barconnecting each set of legs, a cleat pivotally mounted upon the bottomof the central section of the top and adapted to engage the end sectionsof the top, substantially as described.

2. A table ofthe type described, comprising a central-tabletop section,end sections hinged to said central section, legs hinged in pairs tosaid end sections, the legs of each pair being hinged each to theopposite end section, each legformed of two sections hinged together, arod pivotally connecting the lower sections of each pair of legstogether, and means to holdsaid end sections of the table-top inhorizontal alinement with the central section of said table-top, substantially as describedi In testimony whereof'laiiix my signature inthel presence of two witnesses.

HENRY K. FOWHL. Witnesses:

E. E. POTTER, M. E. WHITE.

